Rutland man is charged in crash that killed dad

A 23-year-old Rutland man is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence and the victim in the fatal, single-car accident was the man’s 52-year-old father.

Harrison J. Locke, 23, of 94 River Road, Rutland, is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence, motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and speeding. The charges stem from the death that happened shortly before 1 a.m. May 10.

According to state police Sgt. John C. Jakubowski’s collision reconstruction report, Harrison Locke was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed on Route 56 (Pommogussett Road) when he lost control and his Toyota Tacoma truck drifted off the west edge of the roadway, striking a tree. The vehicle rotated counter-clockwise back into the roadway before to coming to rest.

The passenger in the vehicle, Nathan C. Locke (Harrison’s father) suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash.Just before the crash, Harrison Locke had overtaken another northbound vehicle, the driver of which stated that the Toyota was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to Rutland Police Officer Thomas J. Downey’s report.

As Mr. Downey approached the vehicle, he was able to open the driver’s side door slightly and found Harrison Locke pinned beneath the dashboard and steering wheel.

As the officer opened the door a large amount of blood came from Harrison Locke’s mouth and nose area onto the ground and the officer heard Harrison Locke struggling to breathe, Mr. Downey said in his report.

Mr. Downey then went to the passenger side of the vehicles and attempted to open the door but was unable to because of the heavy damage. He  smashed out the window using his baton. He then moved the side airbag out of the way and saw Nathan Locke pinned in the passenger seat.

Nathan Locke showed signs of heavy trauma to the face, head and chest. The officer was able to obtain a slight pulse from Nathan Locke at this time, according to Mr. Downey.

Nathan Locke was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester and was pronounced dead a short time later.

According to the autopsy report prepared by Dr. Richard Evans, the cause of death was “cardiac laceration with hemothorax” and the manner of death was listed as motor vehicle accident.” Nathan Locke’s blood alcohol content was 0.14 percent, according to Mr. Jakubowski’s report.

On Aug. 14, Harrison Locke told Mr. Downey that he didn’t remember anything about the accident because he is suffering from memory loss.

He said the last thing he remembers is being at his friend’s house and drinking a soda when his father called him. Harrison Locke said his father was having a “bad day” and wanted to go out and talk.

Harrison Locke told the officer he had suffered several broken bones, ribs, and internal injuries to stomach, kidneys, liver and spleen as a result of the accident. He also said he suffered major head trauma and bleeding around his brain, according to Mr. Downey’s report.

Harrison Locke was likely driving at a speed of approximately 63 mph in the posted 40 mph zone at the time of impact, police said.

He did not apply his brakes or make any attempt to steer away from the tree as he was approaching impact. At 63 mph, he was traveling approximately 92-feet-per-second and he was off the roadway at least 1.5 seconds before hitting the tree, according to Mr. Jakubowski’s report.